Apparatus and method for making up and breaking out threaded connections of drill bits and bottomhole components

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for making up and breaking out the threaded connection of a drill bit and bottomhole assembly away from a drilling rig wellbore. The apparatus includes a housing structure adapted for releaseably securing a drill bit and thereby preventing rotation of the drill bit during make up or break out of the drill bit and a bottomhole component. A back up wrench positions and grips the housing structure having the drill bit releaseably secured therein and a torque wrench applies torque to the bottomhole component to make up or break out the connection therebetween.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present application relates generally to an apparatus and method forconnecting or disconnecting a drill bit and a bottomhole component usinga bit breaker. The apparatus is adapted for use with conventional bitbreakers. The method and apparatus is adapted to make up and break outdrill bits oriented in a horizontal mode away from the drilling rigwithout the usual need for a rotary table of a conventional drilling rigdesigned for make up and break out of drill bits oriented in a verticalmode over a drilling rig wellbore. By eliminating the need for a rigrotary table in order to perform drill bit make up and break outoperations, drilling rig equipment and rig personnel can be used forother more cost-effective purposes.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application includes structure that relates to anotherpatent application by Applicant entitled “Apparatus and Method forAssembling and Disassembling Downhole Components in a Horizontal Mode.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known in the oil and gas industry to use a conventionaldrilling rig with a rotary table, in conjunction with a bit breaker, tomake up or break out a drill bit and bottomhole component such as adrill collar or the like. With conventional drilling systems, drill bitjoints are typically made up or broken out by first detachably mountinga bit breaker around the bit. A bit breaker typically has a speciallycontoured opening for receiving the bit and securing it in place.

Bit breakers are generally designed for use with two types of drill bitsas shown in FIGS. 5 and 7: roller-cone bits 30 and fixed-cutter bits 31.Of course, other types of bit breakers may also be available in theindustry (e.g., for drag bits). Drill bits vary in size andconfiguration and bit breakers are sized accordingly to secure a givendrill bit within the bit breaker as necessary. Bit breakers 38 used withroller-cone bits typically have a box-shaped configuration as shown inFIG. 6. The bit breaker generally includes a latch or gate 39 to fixedlyhold the drill bit 30 within the bit breaker 38. For example, FIG. 6shows a roller-cone bit 30 detachably mounted within a bit breaker 38with the gate 39 closed to secure the bit for make up or breakoutoperations. FIGS. 7 and 8 show a fixed-cutter 31 and bit breaker plate40 which may be used to secure shank slots 70, 72, 74, 76 on thefixed-cutter bit to prevent it from rotating when torque is applied.

During conventional make up and break out operations, a suitable bitbreaker is chosen and inserted into an opening in the drilling rigrotary table. The drill bit is inserted into and secured within the bitbreaker. The rotary table secures the bit breaker and keeps it (and thedrill bit) from rotating when torque is applied to the collar.

Conventional methods and devices require that the bit breaker beinserted into the rotary table such that the bit breaker lies flat. Inthis way, the central axis of the drill bit is positioned vertically forsubsequent mating with the drill collar suspended vertically above therotary table.

Due to extremely high torque (e.g., up to 60,000 ft-lbs) needed toproperly make up or break out a bit and collar, various on-site drillingrig equipment and numerous rig personnel are required. To accomplishthis, a number of workers must operate various rig systems including theelevator, top drive, power tongs, rotary table, etc. When usingconventional drilling rig equipment, make up and break out operationsare accomplished in a vertical mode above or near the wellbore. That is,the drill collar, which is typically very heavy, must be handled usingthe drilling rig and power tongs—while the heavy-duty the collar issuspended above the rotary table.

When making up or breaking out the drill collar and bit, power tongs areused to carefully support and manipulate the heavy drill collar abovethe drill bit pin to align and mate, or break out, the threaded box ofthe collar and the threaded pin of the drill bit.

Clearly, the use of drilling rig equipment and the rotary table forthese tasks can be time consuming and reduce the cost effectiveness ofthe overall drilling operation. In addition, using rig equipment toapply torques of up to 60,000 ft lbs for make up and break outoperations can not only wear down and cause breakage of the equipmentbut also create potentially dangerous situations.

There have been various devices adapted for make up and break out of abit and collar in a vertical mode using rig equipment. Several examplesare listed below:

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,789 to Saxman, entitled “Bit Breakers, Bits,        Systems, and Methods with Improved Makeup/Breakout Engagement”    -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,954 to Mead, entitled “Bit Breakout System”    -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,399 to Davis, entitled “Bit Breaker and        Handle”    -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,495,840 to Freitag et al. entitled “Bit Breaker”

There also have been devices adapted for make up and break out in ahorizontal orientation. Several examples include:

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,072 to Perry, entitled “Break Down Tong        Apparatus” Advertisement by Scorpion-Tong for a “Break Out Make        Up Dual Position Hydraulic Chain Tong”; Model 2000 LRT-Dual        Position.

However, conventional devices used for making up or breaking outoperations in a horizontal mode do not include heavy-duty bit adaptersconfigured for high-torque applications. Also, special structures areneeded to secure the various types of roller-cone and fixed-cone bitbreakers when oriented vertically so as to orient the bit axishorizontally as opposed to lying flat in a rotary table. That is, in ahorizontal mode, the drill bit needs to be fixedly secured in avertically oriented bit breaker such that the central axis of the bitextends horizontally to enable proper make up or breakout with ahorizontally oriented drill collar.

The oil and gas drill industry has a continuing need for an apparatusand method of more cost-effectively making up and breaking out drillbits and bottomhole components such as collars in such as way as tominimize or eliminate the need for on-site drilling rig equipment andrig personnel to engage in time consuming and potentially hazardousdrill bit assembly and disassembly operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature of the present disclosure,reference should be had to the following brief description of thedrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, isometric view of an apparatus according to thedisclosure for make up and break out of a horizontally oriented drillbit and bottomhole component;

FIG. 2 is a perspective, isometric view of a bit housing of theapparatus according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevated side view, partially cut away, of a back up wrenchand control panel of the apparatus according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary isometric, perspective view of the apparatusaccording to the disclosure, with a torque wrench partially cut away,and showing a made up drill bit and bottomhole component in positionbefore break out of same;

FIG. 5 is a perspective, isometric view of a roller-cone drill bit notyet connected to a bottomhole component;

FIG. 6 is a perspective, isometric view of the roller-cone drill bit(shown in FIG. 5) releaseably secured within a roller-cone bit breaker;

FIG. 7 is a perspective, isometric of a view fixed-cutter drill bit notyet connected to a bottomhole component;

FIG. 8 is a perspective, isometric view of a fixed-cutter bit breakerbefore a fixed-cutter bit is releaseably secured in the fixed-cutter bitbreaker;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary isometric, perspective view of the apparatusaccording to the disclosure, with a torque wrench partially cut away,and showing the bottomhole component broken out from the drill bit andmoved away from the bit housing;

FIG. 10 is an elevated side view of the bit housing having a roller-conebit adapter of different sizes at either end;

FIG. 11 is an elevated side view of the bit housing having afixed-cutter bit adapter of different sizes at either end; and

FIG. 12 is an elevated side view of a wrench cylinder of the torquewrench.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustratean apparatus 10 configured for use in making up or breaking out athreaded connection of a drill bit and bottomhole component. Thebottomhole component may be, for example, a drill collar or other drillstring component.

The apparatus 10 is configured for heavy-duty make up and break outoperations at a location which is away from the drilling rig wellborewithout the need for a conventional rotary table which performs theseoperations in a vertical mode.

That is, due to the extremely high torque (e.g., ranging up to 60,000ft-lbs) needed to properly make up and break out drill bits, drillingsystems typically require use of the durably-built rotary table capableof withstanding high-torque drill bit assembly and disassemblyapplications. The rotary table requires these operations be performed ina vertical mode with the drill bit and bottomhole component orientedvertically over the rig rotary table and wellbore.

In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus 10 is ruggedly configured tohandle heavy-duty drill bits and collars or other bottomhole components.The apparatus 10 is adapted for applying high torque to a threadedconnection of a bit and collar to make up or break out same.

The apparatus 10 also preferably has a transportable configuration. Withsuch a configuration, drill bit make out/break out operations can beperformed using the apparatus 10 at a more convenient location thusavoiding the need for use of expensive onsite rig equipment andpersonnel. In this way, the rig crew is not burdened with the timeconsuming and potentially dangerous task of using the drilling rigequipment to engage in onsite operations requiring the use ofhigh-torque equipment necessary for make up and break out operations.

In the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus 10includes a movable back up wrench 12 and a torque wrench 14 (i.e.,working wrench), both of which are mounted to a base frame 16. Theapparatus 10 further preferably includes a housing structure 18 adaptedto be supported by the movable back up wrench 12. The base frame 16preferably has a plurality of adjustable members 22, 24, 26, 28 tofoster leveling the apparatus 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus 10 further includes a control panel 20to operate the wrenches and apparatus 10 as necessary. The control panel20 is configured with controls, gauges, and indicators as suitable foroperation of the apparatus 10. The control panel 20 is preferablymounted to the base frame 16 but may be remotely located for ease ofuse. The control panel 20 also includes electrical and hydrauliccircuitry as necessary for operation. The apparatus 10 requires suitableelectrical and hydraulic power sources (not shown) for operation of theassociated circuits and structures of the apparatus 10.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the apparatus 10 is configured for make up andbreak out operations of a drill bit 30 and bottomhole component 32 suchas a collar, with the bit 30 and collar 32 having a preferablyhorizontal orientation as opposed to vertically oriented rotary tableoperations. In this way, the central axes 10 a, 30 a, 32 a of theapparatus 10, bit 30, and collar 32, respectively, are not only orientedhorizontally but also axially aligned. That is, the apparatus 10 isadapted for positioning and manipulating a tubular drill bit 30 andbottomhole component 32, each having a central axis 30 a, 32 a, suchthat they are coaxial with the central axis 10 a of the apparatus 10during make up and break out operations with the central axis 10 apreferably being oriented horizontally.

The housing structure 18, referred to hereinafter as the bit housing 18,is adapted to releaseably secure a drill bit 30 such that rotation ofthe drill bit 30 is prevented when torque is applied to the bottomholecomponent 32 by the torque wrench 14 during bit make up or break outoperations. That is, the torque wrench 14 is configured for gripping acollar 32 (or other bottomhole component) and applying torque thereto tomake up or break out a threaded connection of the drill bit 30 andcollar 32.

The bit housing 18 has at least one and preferably two functional endsconfigured to releaseably secure a drill bit 30 with the bit housing 18being positioned in a suitable orientation by the back up wrench 12. Inthis way, the drill bit 30, having a central axis 30 a, is insertableinto a selected functional end such that the drill bit 30 is alsosecured in the selected suitable orientation—which is preferablyhorizontal.

In the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the firstfunctional end 34 of the bit housing 18 is adapted to detachably mount afirst bit breaker 38, and the second functional end 36 is adapted todetachably mount a second bit breaker 40, whereby a drill bit 30insertable into a selected bit breaker is releaseably secured in ahorizontal mode and is prevented from rotating such that the threadedconnection of the drill bit 30 and bottomhole component 32 may be madeup or broken out when torque is applied to the bottomhole component 32by the torque wrench 14.

The dual-ended bit housing 18 preferably has a first functional end 34configured to releaseably secure a roller-cone drill bit 30 and a secondfunctional end 36 configured to releaseably secure a fixed-cutter drillbit 31. FIGS. 5 and 7 show a typical roller-cone drill bit 30 andfixed-cutter drill bit 31, respectively. It should be appreciated thatthe functional ends 34, 36 may vary in size, shape, and configuration tocorrespondingly accommodate drill bits of various sizes, shapes,configurations or types as suitable. Of course, a person of ordinaryskill in the art would understand that the functional ends could beadapted to detachably mount any other type of bit such as drag bits,etc.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 4, the bit housing 18 is sized andconfigured to releaseably secure a variety of drill bits (e.g., rockdrill bits, diamond drill bits, drag bits, etc.). The bit housing 18 ispreferably modular and is comprised of a roller-cone bit adapter 34,fixed-cutter bit adapter 36, an intermediate sleeve 42, and first andsecond spacers 44, 46. The intermediate sleeve 42 and spacers 44, 46 areconfigured for connecting together in a spaced relationship theroller-cone bit adapter 34 and the fixed-cutter bit adapter 36 with theadapters 34, 36 preferably being disposed at opposite ends of theintermediate sleeve 42. In this way, the bit housing 18 has dual-endedconfiguration which fosters readily switching between operationsrequiring use of a roller-cone bit adapter 34 to operations requiringuse of a fixed-cutter bit adapter 36—or between operations using thesame types of bit but of different sizes.

In the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the firstfunctional end 34, or roller-cone bit adapter 34, is adapted todetachably mount a first bit breaker 38 as shown in FIG. 4. The secondfunctional end 36, or fixed-cutter bit adapter 36, is adapted todetachably mount a second bit breaker 40 (See FIGS. 4 and 8). With thisconfiguration, a drill bit insertable into a selected bit breaker may bereleaseably secured in a horizontal mode and prevented from rotatingsuch that the threaded connection of the drill bit 30 and a bottomholecomponent 32 may be made up or broken out when torque is applied by thetorque wrench 14 to the bottomhole component 32.

The roller-cone bit adapter 34 preferably comprises a bit box 52 fixedlyattached to a cylindrical chamber 48. The adapter 34 is configured toreceive a roller-cone bit breaker 38. Again, FIG. 5 shows a roller-conedrill bit 30. FIG. 6 shows the roller-cone bit releaseably secured in abit breaker 38. The bit breaker 38 includes a latchable gate 39.

The bit box 52 shown in FIG. 4 is ideally configured to detachably mounta roller-cone bit breaker 38 with the bit breaker 38 releaseablysecuring the roller-cone bit 30 to prevent rotation thereof during makeup or break out operations. The bit box 52 preferably has latchingstructures 56, 58, 60, 62 for detachably mounting the bit breaker viathe handles 64, 66. The adapter chamber 48 is preferably hollow andconfigured to receive at least a portion of the roller-cone bit 30releaseably secured within the roller-cone bit breaker 38. Theroller-cone bit adapter 34 ideally further comprises a first spacer 44fixedly attached to the intermediate sleeve 42.

Looking now to the second functional end, the fixed-cutter bit adapter36 preferably comprises a bit plate 54 fixedly attached to an elongatedcylindrical chamber 50 (See FIGS. 7 and 8). The adapter 36 is configuredto receive a fixed-cutter bit breaker 40. FIG. 7 shows a fixed-cutterbit 31. FIG. 8 shows a fixed-cutter bit breaker 40 adapted toreleaseably secure a fixed-cutter bit 31. The fixed-cutter bit breaker40 preferably has a latchable gate 68 configured to secure thefixed-cutter bit 31 with the bit breaker 40 by the shank slots 70, 72,74, 76 (FIGS. 4, 7, and 8). The shank slots 70, 72, 74, 76 are arrangedto engage the interior of the fixed-cutter bit breaker 40. The bitbreaker 40 has four pins 78, 80, 82, 84 which mate into fourcorresponding holes 78 a, 80 a, 82 a, 84 a in the bit plate 54.

The bit plate 54 is ideally configured to detachably mount afixed-cutter bit breaker 40 with the bit breaker releaseably securingthe fixed-cutter bit 31 to prevent rotation thereof during make up orbreak out operations. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the bit plate 54preferably has latching structures 86, 88, 90, 92 for detachablymounting the bit breaker 40 via the handles 94, 96. (See FIG. 8). Theelongated cylindrical chamber 50 is preferably hollow and configured toreceive at least a portion of the fixed-cutter bit 31 releaseablysecured within the fixed-cutter bit breaker 40. As with the adapter 34,the fixed-cutter bit adapter 36 ideally also further comprises a secondspacer 46 fixedly attached to the intermediate sleeve 42.

In the preferred embodiment, the bit housing 18 is modular in that theroller-cone bit adapter 34, fixed-cutter bit adapter 36, andintermediate sleeve 42, are preferably threadably coupled with eachother and thus separable. The first and second spacers 44, 46 areideally fixedly attached to their respective adapters 34, 36.

In an alternate embodiment, the spacers 44, 46 may be threadably coupledto their respective adapters 34, 36 as well as the sleeve 42 to furtherfoster modularity as well as interchangeability.

The intermediate sleeve 42 is preferably configured for use insuspending or supporting the bit housing 18. A hoisting member 43 isideally fixedly attached to the intermediate sleeve 42. The hoistingmember 43 is preferably centrally positioned on the intermediate sleeve42. In this way, the hoisting member 43 and sleeve 42 combination areconfigured together such that the bit housing 18 is generallycounterbalanced in a horizontal orientation when suspended using thehoisting member 43 or alternately supported using the intermediatesleeve 42. In view of the need for a heavy-duty bit housing 18 capableof withstanding high-torque make up/break out applications, the bithousing 18 preferably is variously configurable to have a sufficientsize to accommodate large and hefty drill bits. That is, as shown inFIG. 10, larger drill bit adapters can be attached to the intermediatesleeve 42 to accommodate larger drill bits. Also, the sleeve 42 can beconfigured in various sizes for light or heavy duty applications. Inaddition, the modular dual-ended design fosters handling, transporting,suspending, positioning, and/or supporting a larger bit housing. Thatis, with the preferable dual-ended configuration, the bit housing 18 cangenerally be more easily counterbalanced to facilitate hoisting andpositioning the bit housing 18 in the back up wrench 12 for makeup/break out operations.

In another alternative embodiment, the spacers 44, 46 may have varyinglengths, strengths, and weights. Spacers having a specified length andweight may be used as necessary to help assemble a more counterbalancedbit housing 18 to further improve handling.

It should also be appreciated, that the bit housing 18 can be modularlyand/or interchangeably configured with a suitable size and heft to helpresist rotation when torque is applied to a threaded connection of thebottomhole component 32 and drill bit 30.

In the alternate embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the bithousing 18 has variously configured ends such that the first end 34, 36is adapted to receive a drill bit of one size or configuration and thesecond end 34′, 36′ is adapted to receive a drill bit of a differentsize or configuration from the first end 34, 36. For example, the firstend may be adapted to accommodate a bit breaker sized for a rock bitwith a 4.5-inch pin size while the second end may be adapted toaccommodate a bit breaker sized for a rock bit with a 7.875-inch pinsize. As explained before, the spacers 44, 44′, 45, 45′ used at eitherend may also be selected as suitable to compensate for the differingweights of the bit breakers mounted at either end so as to maintain agenerally counterbalanced bit housing 18 to foster ease of handling.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 9, the back up wrench 12 preferablyhas a throat 13 with a central axis 12 a oriented in a horizontal mode.The back up wrench 12 is configured to grip and position the bit housing18 with the back up wrench 12 gripping the bit housing 18 coaxially suchthat a drill bit 30, releaseably secured in the bit housing 18, is alsooriented in a horizontal mode. In this way, the back up wrench 12fixedly holds the bit housing 18 with a first grip pressure such thatthe bit housing 18 is prevented from rotating about its axis 18 a whentorque is applied.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the back up wrench 12 also preferablyincludes a plurality of gripping assemblies 98, 100, 102 adapted to moveinwardly and outwardly for gripping and releasing the bit housing 18.The gripping assemblies 98, 100, 102 are ideally arrangedcircumferentially around and are equidistant from the central axis 12 aof the throat 13.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4 and 12, the torque wrench 14 also preferablyhas a throat 15 with a central axis 14 a oriented in a horizontal modeand includes a wrench cylinder 112 and wrench frame 114. The torquewrench 14 is configured to grip and apply torque to the bottomholecomponent 32 such that the bottomhole component 32 is gripped with asecond grip pressure by the torque wrench 14. In this way, the drill bit30, which is in turn fixedly held in the bit housing 18, has a centralaxis 30 a which is axially aligned—preferably in a horizontal mode—withthe bit housing 18, bottomhole component 32, and torque wrench 14. Withthis configuration, the torque wrench 14 can be actuated to properlyapply sufficient torque to make up or break out the threaded connectionof the bottomhole component 32 and drill bit 30.

The torque wrench 14 also preferably includes a plurality of grippingassemblies 104, 106, 108 adapted to move inwardly and outwardly forgripping and releasing the bottom hole component 32. The grippingassemblies 104, 106, 108 are ideally arranged circumferentially aroundand are equidistant from the central axis 14 a of the torque wrenchthroat 15.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the wrench cylinder 112 is preferablyrotatably mounted to the wrench frame 114 which is in turn preferablyfixedly mounted to the base frame 16. The wrench frame 114 also includesa hydraulic control member 116. The control member 116 preferablyincludes a hydraulic piston/cylinder combination 118 used to rotate thewrench cylinder 112 with respect to the wrench frame 114 to apply torqueto a bottomhole component 32 gripped by the gripping assemblies 104,106, 108 during make up and break out. The wrench frame 114 preferablyincludes a plurality of bearing members 120, 122, 124, 126 spacedcircumferentially around the frame 114 to foster respective rotation ofthe wrench cylinder 112.

As shown in FIG. 12, the wrench cylinder 112 includes preferably twoapertures 128, 130 and a pin 132. With the control member 116 in theproper position, the pin 132 is inserted into the make up aperture 128to configure the torque wrench 14 for make up torque and into the breakout aperture 130 for break out torque.

The back up wrench 12 is ideally movably mounted with respect to thetorque wrench 14 and includes a carriage structure 140. Referring againto FIGS. 3 and 4, the back up wrench 12 preferably has first and secondside walls 142, 144 with a plurality of gears 146, 148, 150 rotatablymounted to the first wall 142 and a plurality of gears 152, 154, 156rotatably mounted to second side wall 144. The carriage structure 140 ismounted to the base frame 16 and preferably has two horizontallyextending tracks 158, 160 such that the plurality of gears 146, 148, 150and 152, 154, 156 are positioned to rotatably engage the tracks 158,160, respectively.

The back up wrench 12 also preferably includes a control structure 134having a control wheel 136 and gear 138 also adapted to rotatably engagethe track 160.

In this way, the back up wrench 12 may be translated axially withrespect to the torque wrench 14 to foster detachable mounting of aselected bit adapter with, for example, a drill bit breaker 38 having adrill bit 30 releaseably secured therein prior to actual make up orbreak out.

It should also be recognized that the apparatus 10 may be used toassemble or disassemble the preferably modularly configured bit housing18 to re-configure the bit housing 18 as suitable with functional endsas desired. That is, with the sleeve 42 and spacers 44, 46 beingthreadably connectable, the back up wrench 12 may be used to grip thesleeve 42, and the torque wrench 14 may be used to grip the spacerportion of a selected bit adapter in such a way that the sleeve 42 andspacer of the bit adapter may be made up or broken out.

In addition, the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure furtherincludes a circuit (not shown) to control and actuate the back up wrench12 so as to selectively grip, with a first grip pressure, the bithousing 18. The circuit also controls the torque wrench 14 so as toselectively grip, with a second grip pressure, the bottomhole component32 and apply torque thereto to make up or break out the threadedconnection of the bottomhole component 32 and drill bit 30.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the back up wrench 12 and torquewrench 14 both preferably include hydraulic conduits (e.g., items 162,163, 164) and structures as necessary to actuate, via hydraulicpressure, the gripping assemblies 98, 100, 102 and 104, 106, 108. Thetorque wrench 14 ideally includes a hydraulic piston/cylindercombination 118 to actuate the control arm used for make up or break outoperations.

In addition, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that inan alternate embodiment, the apparatus 10 could be oriented or inclinedat an angle, in a non-horizontal mode, to foster ease of bit andcomponent axial translation or the like by using jack systems, ramps,tilting mechanisms or other means for orienting the apparatus 10.Morever, the leveling members 22, 24, 26, 28 could be further modifiedsuch that they could be used to incline apparatus 10 to a selectedsuitable orientation.

In another alternate embodiment, the apparatus 10 further comprises atleast one conventional spinner, as would be known to a person ofordinary skill in the art, with the spinner configured for being alignedwith the central axis 32 a of the bottomhole component 32 and/or torquewrench central axis 14 a. The spinner preferably has at least twocylindrical members adapted to selectively rotate the bottomholecomponent 32 with respect to the drill bit 30 to foster more efficientmaking up or breaking out of the threaded connection. In addition, theapparatus 10 also preferably further comprises at least one conventionalsupport platform to support at least one bottomhole component 32 tofacilitate supporting the bottomhole component 32 or alignment thereofwith the torque wrench central axis 14 a during make up or breakoutoperations. This is especially advantageous during a break out operationto help support the broken out bottomhole component 32 and move it awayfrom the broken out drill bit 30 still captured within the bit breaker.

The spinner and support platform, of the alternate embodiment, bothpreferably include a hydraulic piston/cylinder combination and aplurality of hydraulic lines as necessary to actuate, via hydraulicpressure, at the control panel 20 the spinner and support platform foralignment and proper support of the bottomhole component 32 or connectedcomponents. Of course, a person of ordinary skill in the art wouldunderstand that a plurality of spinners and/or support platforms may beincluded as part of the apparatus 10 to foster make up/break outoperations of a multi-sectioned stand of bottomhole components such asfor example drill collars, stabilizers, subs, etc.

Moreover, with the alternate embodiment described above, a person ofordinary skill in the art would understand that the apparatus 10 furtherincludes a spinner circuit (not shown) to produce a spin control signalwith the spin control signal being used to selectively rotate thebottomhole component 32 during making up and breaking out operations aswell as necessary support platform circuits and controls. The controlcircuits are preferably activated using controls as required located onthe control panel 20.

In use, the apparatus 10 is first set up for make up or break out of adrill bit 30 and bottomhole component 32 as desired. It should beemphasized that appropriate safety measures and conduct must be followedwhen personnel are engaged in any activity related to the use of theapparatus 10.

For make up, initially the back up wrench 12 is preferably positioned asfar away from the torque wrench 14 as possible using the control wheel136 (See FIGS. 4, 9, and 12). Then, the location of the make up/breakout pin 132 is confirmed, and if necessary, the torque wrench 14 ishydraulically configured so that the pin 132 can be inserted into themake up aperture 128 on the wrench cylinder 112.

For example, when making up a roller-cone bit 30, a bit housing 18having an appropriate size and configuration is selected and, using thehoisting member 43, is transported into the throat 13 of the back upwrench 12. All operations are performed using the appropriate controls,gauges, and indicators of the control panel 20 as necessary (See FIG.3).

The backup wrench gripping assemblies 98, 100, 102 are actuated usingthe control panel 20 to grip the bit housing 18 in the desiredorientation which is preferably horizontal. The drill bit 30 isreleaseably secured within a selected bit breaker 38 and the bit breakeris placed in the roller-cone bit adapter 34 of the bit housing 18. Thebit breaker 38 is detachably mounted to the adapter 34 carefully usingthe latches 56, 58, 60, 62 to properly mount the bit breaker 38.

Next, a desired bottomhole component 32 is hoisted and positioned intothe throat 15 of the torque wrench 14 (See FIG. 9). The torque wrenchgripping assemblies 104, 106, 108 are actuated to grip the bottomholecomponent 32.

Then, the back up wrench 12 is moved towards the bottomhole component 32to align the pin threads of the bit with the box threads of thebottomhole component 32. The bit and component are repositioned andadjusted as necessary to ensure proper alignment of the threads for makeup. Conventional leveling methods and structures may be used foralignment and mating prior to the application of final make up torque bythe torque wrench 14 (See FIG. 4).

It should be appreciated that the apparatus 10 is configured to fosterease of alignment. That is, both the back up wrench 12 and torque wrench14 are ideally mounted to the base frame 16 in such a way that thecentral axes of the back up wrench 12 and torque wrench 14 respectivelyare coaxially aligned. (See FIGS. 1, 4, and 9). Moreover, afterconventional alignment of the bit and component axes 30 a, 32 a, theback up wrench gripping assemblies 98, 100, 102 are actuated to grip theintermediate sleeve 42 and the torque wrench gripping assemblies 104,106, 108 are actuated to grip the bottomhole component 32 threadedlyconnected to the drill bit 30, such that the central axis 32 a of thecomponent is coaxial with the central axis 14 a of the torque wrench 14throat. The central axis 30 a of the drill bit 30 secured within the bitbreaker 38 is coaxial with the back up wrench 12 throat central axis 12a. With this configuration, all the central axes 18 a, 12 a, 30 a, 14 a,32 a are aligned axially for proper make up (as well as proper break outdescribed hereinafter).

After proper alignment and confirmation that the intermediate sleeve 42and bottomhole component 32 are properly gripped by the back up andtorque wrenches 12, 14, respectively, sufficient torque is then appliedto the bottomhole component 32 to properly make up the threadedconnection of the bottomhole component 32 and drill bit 30. The latches56, 58, 60, 62 detachably mounting the bit breaker 38 are detached. Theback up wrench 12 and bit housing 18 are then moved away from the bitbreaker 38 which is still releaseably secured to the drill bit 30 nowconnected to the bottomhole component 32.

The bit breaker 38 is positioned as necessary so that it can becarefully and safely released from the drill bit 30 and moved away fromthe bit. The bottomhole component 32 and drill bit 30 are properlysecured with a hoist. The torque wrench gripping assemblies 104, 106,108 are then deactivated as necessary to release the bottomholecomponent 32 now made up to the drill bit 30 and component. The joinedcomponent 32 and bit 30 are then transported to a desired location.

For break out, the back up wrench 12 is preferably positioned withrespect to the torque wrench 14 using the control wheel 136 to properlylocate the bit housing 18. The location of the make up/break out pin 132is confirmed and if necessary the torque wrench 14 is hydraulicallyconfigured so that the pin 132 can be inserted into the break outaperture 130 on the wrench cylinder 112 (See FIGS. 4 and 12).

The appropriate bit housing 18 is selected and positioned in the back upwrench 12 as explained above.

The drill bit 30 and threadedly connected bottomhole component 32 arehoisted and positioned as necessary to ensure proper alignment with thecentral axis 18 a of the bit housing 18 and torque wrench 14.Conventional leveling methods and structures may be used for alignment.

The drill bit 30 is then releaseably secured in an appropriately sizedand configured bit breaker and after proper conventional alignment, thebit breaker is placed in the roller-cone bit adapter 34 of the bithousing 18. The bit breaker 38 is detachably mounted to the adaptercarefully using the latches 56, 58, 60, 62 to properly mount the bitbreaker 38.

After proper alignment and confirmation that the intermediate sleeve 42and bottomhole component 32 are properly gripped by the back up wrench12 and torque wrench 14 respectively, sufficient torque is then appliedto the bottomhole component 32 to properly break out the threadedconnection of the bottomhole component 32 and drill bit 30.

Next, the latches 56, 58, 60, 62 detachably mounting the bit breaker tothe bit housing 18 are detached. The back up wrench 12 and bit housing18 are then moved away from the bit breaker 38 still releaseably securedto the drill bit 30 now broken out from the bottomhole component 32.(See FIG. 9).

The bit breaker 38, still releaseably securing the broken out drill bit30, is positioned on a stable flat surface as necessary so that the bitbreaker 38 can be carefully released from the drill bit 30 so that thebit 30 can be moved away from the bit breaker 38. The bit 30 and bitbreaker 38 can then be transported to a desired location.

It should be recognized that the fixed-cutter adapter 36 and bit breaker40 are used in a similar manner as the roller-cone adapter 34 and bitbreaker 38. However, the bit breaker 40 is mounted to the bit plate 54such that the pins 78, 80, 82, 84 are aligned and inserted into themating four pin holes 78 a, 80 a, 82 a, 84 a in the bit plate 54. Thebit breaker 40 is then detachably mounted to the bit plate 54 usinglatches 86, 88, 90, 92 in a similar manner as with the bit box latches56, 58, 60, 62.

The bottomhole component 32 is then properly secured with a hoist. Thetorque wrench gripping assemblies 104, 106, 108 are then deactivated asnecessary to carefully release the bottomhole component 32 now brokenout from the drill bit 30. The component 32 is then transported to adesired location.

It should be recognized that the fixed-cutter adapter 36 and bit breaker40 are used in a similar manner as the roller-cone adapter 34 and bitbreaker 38. However, the bit breaker 40 is mounted to the bit plate 54such that the pins 78, 80, 82, 84 are aligned and inserted into themating four pin holes 78 a, 80 a, 82 a, 84 a in the bit plate 54. Thebit breaker 40 is then detachably mounted to the bit plate 54 usinglatches 86, 88, 90, 92 in a similar manner as with the bit box latches.

In view of any one of the manners discussed herein or in any combinationthereof, make up and break out in a horizontal mode is achieved. It maybe seen from the preceding description that a new combination and methodfor make up and break out of wellbore components has been provided.Although very specific examples have been described and disclosed, theinvention of the instant application is considered to comprise and isintended to comprise any equivalent structure.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is thereforeillustrative and explanatory of one or more presently preferredembodiments of the invention and variations thereof, and it will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in thedesign, organization, order of operation, means of operation, equipmentstructures and location, methodology, and use of mechanical equivalents,as well as in the details of the illustrated construction orcombinations of features of the various elements, may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. As well, the drawings areintended to describe the concepts of the invention so that the presentlypreferred embodiments of the invention will be plainly disclosed to oneof skill in the art but are not intended to be manufacturing leveldrawings or renditions of final products and may include simplifiedconceptual views as desired for easier and quicker understanding orexplanation of the invention. As well, the relative size and arrangementof the elements of the invention may be greatly different from thatshown and still operate well within the spirit of the invention asdescribed hereinbefore and in the appended claims. It will be seen thatvarious changes and alternatives may be used that are contained withinthe spirit of the invention. Moreover, it will be understood thatvarious references to directions, locations, positions and the like aremade only with respect to easier explanation in conjunction with thedrawings and that the elements may be oriented differently, forinstance, during transportation and manufacturing as well as operation.Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within thescope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because manymodifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed inaccordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to beunderstood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

1. An apparatus for applying torque to a threaded connection of a drillbit and bottomhole component to make up or break out same away from adrilling rig wellbore, comprising: a housing structure having at leastone functional end configured to releaseably secure a drill bit, whereinsaid housing structure is positioned in a selected orientation, wherebya drill bit having a central axis is insertable into said at least onefunctional end with the drill bit being releaseably secured in saidselected orientation, and wherein torque is applied to a threadedconnection of the drill bit and bottomhole component to make up or breakout same.
 2. An apparatus for applying torque to a threaded connectionof a drill bit and bottomhole component to make up or break out sameaway from a drilling rig wellbore, comprising: a housing structurehaving two functional ends, with a first end being configured toreleaseably secure a first drill bit and a second end being configuredto releaseably secure a second drill bit, whereby a drill bit isinsertable into a selected functional end of said housing structure withthe drill bit being releaseably secured in said selected functional end,wherein torque is applied to a threaded connection of the drill bit andbottomhole component to selectively make up or break out same.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, further comprising: an intermediate sleevedisposed between said first and second functional ends of said housingstructure, said intermediate sleeve being configured for use insuspending or supporting said housing structure.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 3, further comprising: a hoisting member fixedly attached to saidintermediate sleeve, said hoisting member and sleeve being configured insuch a way that said housing structure is generally counterbalanced in ahorizontal orientation when suspended using said hoisting member orsupported using said intermediate sleeve.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein said housing structure having two functional ends is configuredsuch that said first end is adapted to receive a drill bit of one sizeor configuration and said second end is adapted to receive a drill bitof a different size or configuration from said first end.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein said housing structure having twofunctional ends is configured such that said first end is adapted toreleaseably secure a roller-cone bit and said second end is adapted toreleaseably secure a fixed-cutter bit.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein said housing structure is sized and configured to resistrotation when torque is applied to a threaded connection of thebottomhole component and drill bit releaseably secured by said housingstructure to selectively make up or break out the bottomhole componentand drill bit.
 8. An apparatus for applying torque to a threadedconnection of a drill bit and bottomhole component to make up or breakout same away from a drilling rig wellbore, comprising: a bit housinghaving a first functional end and a second functional end, said firstfunctional end being adapted to releaseably secure a roller-cone bit,and said second functional end being adapted to releaseably secure afixed-cutter bit, wherein said bit housing has a central axis, said bithousing being configured to releaseably secure a selected drill bitconfigured for threaded connection with a bottomhole component; a backup wrench having a throat with a central axis oriented in a horizontalmode, said back up wrench being configured to grip and position said bithousing, said back up wrench gripping said bit housing coaxially suchthat a drill bit releaseably secured in said bit housing is oriented ina horizontal mode, wherein said back up wrench fixedly holds said bithousing with a first grip pressure such that said bit housing isprevented from rotating about its axis; a torque wrench to grip andapply torque to the threaded connection of a bottomhole component anddrill bit, the bottomhole component being gripped with a second grippressure by said torque wrench, and the drill bit fixedly held in saidbit housing being gripped with said first grip pressure by said back upwrench, whereby the central axes of the bottomhole component and drillbit are coaxial with said bit housing, and whereby said torque wrench isconfigured to selectively apply sufficient torque to make up or breakout the threaded connection of the downhole component and drill bit; anda circuit to control said back up wrench to selectively grip with afirst grip pressure said bit housing securing the drill bit, whereinsaid circuit controls said torque wrench to selectively grip with asecond grip pressure and apply torque to the bottomhole component tomake up or break out the threaded connection of the bottomhole componentand drill bit.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said firstfunctional end is adapted to detachably mount a first bit breaker, andwherein said second functional end is adapted to detachably mount asecond bit breaker, whereby a drill bit insertable into a selected bitbreaker is releaseably secured in a horizontal mode and is preventedfrom rotating such that the threaded connection of the drill bit and abottomhole component may be made up or broken out when torque is appliedby said torque wrench to said bottomhole component.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein said bit housing further comprises a roller-cone bitadapter, fixed-cutter bit adapter, and an intermediate sleeve, saidintermediate sleeve being configured for fixedly connecting together ina spaced relationship said roller-cone bit adapter and said fixed-cutterbit adapter with said adapters being disposed at opposite ends of saidintermediate sleeve, whereby said bit housing has a dual function. 11.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said roller-cone bit adaptercomprises a bit box and roller-cone bit breaker, said bit box beingconfigured to detachably mount said bit breaker, and wherein said bitbreaker is adapted to releaseably secure a roller-cone bit to preventrotation thereof during make up or break out operations, and whereinsaid roller-cone bit adapter further comprises a chamber configured toreceive a portion of the roller-cone bit releaseably secured within saidroller-cone bit breaker, and wherein said roller-cone bit adapterfurther comprises a first spacer fixedly attached to said intermediatesleeve connecting said adapters.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, whereinsaid fixed-cutter bit adapter comprises a bit plate and fixed-cutter bitbreaker, said bit plate being configured to detachably mount saidfixed-cutter bit breaker, and wherein said bit breaker is adapted toreleaseably secure a fixed-cutter bit to prevent rotation thereof duringmake up or break out operations, and wherein said fixed-cutter bitadapter further comprises an elongated chamber configured to receive aportion of the fixed-cutter bit releaseably secured within saidfixed-cutter bit breaker, and wherein said roller-cone bit adapterfurther comprises a second spacer fixedly attached to said intermediatesleeve connecting said adapters.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, furthercomprising: an intermediate sleeve disposed between said first andsecond ends of said bit housing, said intermediate sleeve beingconfigured for use in suspending or supporting said bit housing.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a hoisting member mounted tosaid intermediate sleeve, said hoisting member being centrallypositioned on said intermediate sleeve, wherein said hoisting member andsleeve are configured in such a way that said bit housing is generallycounterbalanced in a horizontal orientation when suspended using saidhoisting member or alternately supported using said intermediate sleeve.15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said bit housing has twofunctional ends configured such that said first end is adapted toreceive a drill bit of one size or configuration and said second end isadapted to receive a drill bit of a different size or configuration fromsaid first end.
 16. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said bit housinghaving two functional ends is configured such that said first end isadapted to releaseably secure a rock drill bit and said second end isadapted to releaseably secure diamond bit.
 17. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein said bit housing is sized and configured to resist rotation whentorque is applied to a threaded connection of the bottomhole componentand drill bit releaseably secured to said bit housing to selectivelymake up or break out the bottomhole component and drill bit.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein said back up wrench is movably mountedwith respect to said torque wrench.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18,wherein said back up wrench has first and second side walls with aplurality of gears being rotatably mounted to said first and second sidewalls, and wherein said apparatus further comprises a base frame, saidframe having two horizontally extending tracks, said plurality of gearsbeing positioned to rotatably engage said tracks, whereby said back upwrench may be translated axially with respect to said torque wrench tofoster detachable mounting of a selected bit adapter with a drill bitbreaker having a drill bit releaseably secured therein during make up orbreak out operations.
 20. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:a frame for mounting said back up wrench and said torque wrench.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 8, further comprising: a spinner configured for beingaligned with the central axis of the bottomhole component, wherein saidspinner has at least two cylindrical members adapted to selectivelyrotate the bottomhole component with respect to the drill bit, saidspinner being adapted for use during making up or breaking out of thethreaded connection.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising: aspinner circuit to produce a spin control signal, wherein said spincontrol signal is used to selectively rotate the bottomhole componentduring making up and breaking out operations.
 23. The apparatus of claim8 further comprising: a movable platform for supporting at least onebottomhole component to facilitate alignment of said bottomholecomponent with said torque wrench central axis during make up orbreakout operations.
 24. An method for applying torque to a threadedconnection of a drill bit and bottomhole component to make up or breakout same away from a drilling rig wellbore, comprising: providing a bithousing having a first functional end and a second functional end, saidfirst functional end being adapted to releaseably secure a first drillbit, and said second functional end being adapted to releaseably securea second drill bit, wherein said bit housing has a central axis, saidbit housing being configured to releaseably secure a selected drill bitconfigured for threaded connection with a bottomhole component;positioning a back up wrench having throat with a central axis orientedin a horizontal mode, said back up wrench being configured to grip andposition said bit housing adapted for releaseably securing the firstand/or second drill bit, said back up wrench gripping said bit housingcoaxially such that said first and/or second drill bit is releaseablysecured in a horizontal mode, whereby said back up wrench fixedly holdssaid bit housing with a first grip pressure such that said bit housingis prevented from rotating about its axis; using a torque wrench to gripand apply torque to the threaded connection of a bottomhole componentand a selected drill bit, with the bottomhole component being gripped bysaid torque wrench and the selected drill bit being gripped by said backup wrench, whereby the central axes of the bottomhole component and theselected drill bit are coaxial with said bit housing, whereby saidtorque wrench is configured to apply sufficient torque to make up orbreak out the threaded connection of the downhole component and theselected drill bit; and providing a circuit to control said back upwrench and said torque wrench to selectively grip said bit housingsecuring the selected drill bit and to selectively grip and apply torqueto the bottomhole component to alternately make up or break out thethreaded connection of the bottomhole component and the selected drillbit.